The 52 seconds of Yes’ “Evensong” is a breath of fresh air. The snippet, composed by King Crimson / Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe bassist Tony Levin and drummer Bill Bruford, is a refreshing bass/percussion interlude with touches of stereo bass and tuned electronic percussion. Without vocals, the song had potential for further development.
Both “Evensong” and “Take the Water to the Mountain” were produced by Jonathan Elias, and the final song on 1991’s Union is also ripe with promise. The Jon Anderson composition hints of mysticism and wonder over a layer of studio musician-played percussion and fretless bass (possibly Chapman Stick). Jimmy Haun’s guitar leads are decisive and effective. Haun, who was the sole guitarist on “Take the Water to the Mountain,” also provided modern rhythm guitar touches to propel the song.
As “Take the Water to the Mountain” builds to an empty ending, one can’t help but to think that this song could have been great with different production choices and the actual inclusion of Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman in more of the playing and arranging – like a majority of the Elias-helmed tracks on Union. As it stands, this not-quite-reunion project remains a fascinating asterisk in the Yes canon.
- Jonathan Powell – ‘Mambo Jazz Party’ (2024) - November 3, 2024
- Johnny Pacheco – ‘Mi Nuevo Tumbao … Canonazo’ (1964; 2024 reissue) - November 2, 2024
- Alex E. Chavez – ‘Sonorous Present’ (2024) - October 27, 2024
